York's busy ring road seems a million miles away once you're out for a stroll on Strensall Common, savouring its expansive beauty and abundant wildlife.

Famed for its wetland birds including bitterns and marsh harriers, explore the mosaic of habitats and enjoy the stunning vistas at Potteric Carr.

Tree pipits and linnets sing from the trees in the young woodland at Stocksmoor Common Nature Reserve. Wavy hair-grass may be found in the acid grassland - a habitat produced by rough grazing…

One of just three remaining pockets of lowland heath in the Vale of York, Allerthorpe Common is rich in wildlife, and is one of the best places in the area to see adders.

With trails to explore and varied wildlife to discover, Barlow Common is the perfect place for a family outing or peaceful walk. Not bad for a former tip next to a power station!

With three types of grassland close together, sporting a profusion of plants, early summer at Maltby Low Common is paradise for insects and botanists